Key Truth: We must daily put off the old patterns of thinking and behaviors that destructively served self and put on our new self that displays the attributes of God in Christ by the power of the Spirit.  

What is currently shaping how you think about, see, and act in the world?

The Way to a Callous, Chaotic Heart and Darkened, Futile Mind:

Ephesians 4:17-19

“The source of Gentile alienation is ignorance and hardness of heart. The combination of ignorance with hardness of heart makes it clear that the Gentiles’ failing is not simply an intellectual error that might be corrected through further study. Rather, along with futile reasoning and darkened understanding, ignorance and hardness of heart all work together to present a picture of Gentiles as alienated from their true end in God in a comprehensive way, touching on the intellect, perceptions, affections, desires, and judgments.”

Stephen E. Fowl, Ephesians: A Commentary

What causes you to feel alienated from God and His life-giving presence?
What are you doing to address these things?

The Way to a Renewed Mind in Newness of Life in Christ:

Ephesians 4:20-24

“…we must actively cultivate a Christian life. For holiness is not a condition into which we drift. We are not passive spectators of a sanctification God works in us. On the contrary, we have purposefully to ‘put away’ from us all conduct that is incompatible with our new life in Christ, and to ‘put on’ a lifestyle compatible with it.”

John R.W. Stott, The Message of Ephesians

What helps to renew your mind in the Holy Spirit and display the characteristics of God in Christ?

Application: 

Ephesians 4:17-24 teaches us that we are to:
-walk away from our old patterns of thinking and behaviors that destructively served self
-walk in our newness of life with renewed minds that display the attributes of God in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit  

Communion

Benediction:

Ephesians 6:23-24